Post by Pittsburgh Penguins on Jun 10, 2023 12:32:23 GMT -6
After another bottom feeding season, the penguins are hoping to build up this offseason. While their record was obviously sub-par, the pens did strike gold by winning the draft lottery and the opportunity to pick first overall in the upcoming PFHL draft. It is largely expected that they will select forward Connor Bedard, who dazzled in the WHL this past season and is largely thought up as one of the best prospects since Connor McDavid.
But outside of earning the first pick, the Pens did have such solid development within their team, both at the pro and farm level. At the pro level, Pavel Zacha led the way with 35 goals and 75 points and solidified himself as a top 6 Center and potentially a low end top line center. Last offseason, Jordan Eberle was signed to provide some added offensive skill and he also contributed with a NICE 69 points and 35 goals. 22 year old defenseman Ty Smith put together a solid sophomore season with 10 goals, 47 points and a +6 rating (which led the team with players on roster at end of year that played at least 35 games).
At the farm level, the Pens started off rough but ended strong and even made a push until about the last week for a playoff bid. It is expected that multiple players will graduate from the Baby Pens as they appear ready to contribute at the pro level. Jesper Boqvist leads this list as he had 112 points, including 28 after being traded to Pittsburgh. Additionally, Jonathan Dahlen was also acquired near trade deadline and finished the season with 40+ goals and 81 points. Likewise Scott Perunovich was dealt to Pittsburgh and contributed 66 points for the season and is expected to make the jump to Pittsburgh. Veteran Defenseman Anthony Bitteto had a nice 69 points and could also make a jump depending on how his offseason training goes along with Dominic Kahun, who had 77 points. Even rookies Nicholas Robertson (49 points) and Marc Mclaughlin (46 points) made progress this past season and may just be a season or two away from contributing. Finally, the major question will be how Gabriel Vilardi progresses as he was demoted to the farm team just before the mid way point but had 57 points in 45 farm games and was quickly re-signed by Pens management to a multi-year extension.
The Pens also have quite a bit of depth at the prospect level as Kent Johnson and Nils Lundkvist will likely make his PFHL debut next season (likely at the farm level). It will probably be another season until we see prospects such as David Jiricek, Dentyon Mateyhhuk, Brandt Clarke, Chaz Lucius, Hendrix Lapierre, Jakob Pelletier, Jean-Luc Foudy, Reid shaefer and more.
GM Swackhammer advised fans that they will be aggressive in this offseason and that really nothing is off the table, outside of possibly the first overall pick. with 3 first round picks in both this draft and next, the pens certainly have the ammunition to get things started.
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But outside of earning the first pick, the Pens did have such solid development within their team, both at the pro and farm level. At the pro level, Pavel Zacha led the way with 35 goals and 75 points and solidified himself as a top 6 Center and potentially a low end top line center. Last offseason, Jordan Eberle was signed to provide some added offensive skill and he also contributed with a NICE 69 points and 35 goals. 22 year old defenseman Ty Smith put together a solid sophomore season with 10 goals, 47 points and a +6 rating (which led the team with players on roster at end of year that played at least 35 games).
At the farm level, the Pens started off rough but ended strong and even made a push until about the last week for a playoff bid. It is expected that multiple players will graduate from the Baby Pens as they appear ready to contribute at the pro level. Jesper Boqvist leads this list as he had 112 points, including 28 after being traded to Pittsburgh. Additionally, Jonathan Dahlen was also acquired near trade deadline and finished the season with 40+ goals and 81 points. Likewise Scott Perunovich was dealt to Pittsburgh and contributed 66 points for the season and is expected to make the jump to Pittsburgh. Veteran Defenseman Anthony Bitteto had a nice 69 points and could also make a jump depending on how his offseason training goes along with Dominic Kahun, who had 77 points. Even rookies Nicholas Robertson (49 points) and Marc Mclaughlin (46 points) made progress this past season and may just be a season or two away from contributing. Finally, the major question will be how Gabriel Vilardi progresses as he was demoted to the farm team just before the mid way point but had 57 points in 45 farm games and was quickly re-signed by Pens management to a multi-year extension.
The Pens also have quite a bit of depth at the prospect level as Kent Johnson and Nils Lundkvist will likely make his PFHL debut next season (likely at the farm level). It will probably be another season until we see prospects such as David Jiricek, Dentyon Mateyhhuk, Brandt Clarke, Chaz Lucius, Hendrix Lapierre, Jakob Pelletier, Jean-Luc Foudy, Reid shaefer and more.
GM Swackhammer advised fans that they will be aggressive in this offseason and that really nothing is off the table, outside of possibly the first overall pick. with 3 first round picks in both this draft and next, the pens certainly have the ammunition to get things started.
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